Margie Quin

A federal audit revealed over 9,000 foster children were temporarily placed in hotels, offices, and other unsafe settings due to placement challenges, particularly for older children and those with behavioral/mental health needs. The pandemic and opioid crisis exacerbated the issue, with Arizona and Texas accounting for nearly half of the placements. Tennessee’s child welfare commissioner faces lawsuits alleging mistreatment of foster children.

A federal audit found over 9,000 foster children temporarily placed in hotels, offices, and other unsafe settings across 49 states from January 2022 to June 2023. Tennessee's child welfare commissioner is a defendant in lawsuits alleging mistreatment, and states struggled to place older children and those with behavioral/mental health needs amid the pandemic and opioid crisis.

A federal audit found over 9,000 foster children were temporarily placed in hotels, office buildings, and other unsafe settings due to placement challenges. Tennessee's DCS commissioner faces lawsuits alleging mistreatment, and states like Arizona and Texas accounted for nearly half of all emergency placements.

A federal audit found over 9,000 foster children were temporarily placed in hotels, offices, and other unsafe settings between 2022 and 2023, with challenges in placing older children and those with behavioral/mental health needs. Tennessee's child welfare commissioner is named in lawsuits alleging mistreatment, and Arizona and Texas accounted for nearly half of all emergency placements.